Robin Miller’s Mailbag for July 16 presented by Honda Racing/HPD

Q: An example of IndyCar “droppin’ the ball,” at Milwaukee. Back in the heyday of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s Milwaukee held two Indycar events per season; the Rex Mays race the week after Indy and the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial in August, in conjunction with the Wisconsin State Fair. Usually the Bettenhausen event was the last weekend of the State Fair; with thousands of people in attendance they would hear the roar of the Offys during practice, the sound and smell of racing castor would suck ‘em into the stands and they were always jammed. So when I heard they were changing the IndyCar date to August, I thought they were having a epiphany; IndyCar and State Fair, the perfect reunion, a fan pool right outside the gates, just like the old days! But alas, I was wrong, the Indycar event is one weekend after the State Fair ends! Huh, what gives? They blew it, again!.....I’m going August 17th, but I’ll be scratching my head in amazement and disbelief!Jim Scott, Wisconsin RapidsRM: Kevin Healy, managing director of the ABC Supply 250 at Milwaukee Indyfest presented by metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers, was kind enough to answer your question, Jim, and it sounds like IndyCar will be promoted well during the Fair. Healy says: “We did actually talk about the State Fair weekend as a throwback to the old days, but it was a short conversation. A lot has changed since the ’60s and ’70s, not least of which is the economics of the Fair and racing. The fair needs both the revenue they derive from the track and those facilities (parking, exhibit, concerts, tending livestock). The mix of livestock and IndyCar engines would not be something you'd want to witness.“However, all is not lost: we had a half epiphany. We will have a large display space throughout the Wisconsin State Fair that will promote the event to the estimated 1.1 million fairgoers; the space will include a show car, mock up of victory lane with podium and backdrop for photos, kids interactive area and include activations like driver appearances (RHR will be there August 8th, Sato and others another night), IndyCar days with lots of swag to give away, trophy night (Astor Cup, IndyFest trophy, working on Borg Warner, but…), pro beach volleyball players and other special events. We'll have a dream experience giveaway that people will register for, including a two-seat ride, pace car rides, and other unique experiences. Would love to have Q&A with everyone’s favorite pit reporter – or you, Miller, if Kelli Stavast is not available :). We're working closely with the marketing folks at IndyCar to take advantage of a unique opportunity to connect with a lot of new fans. And of course, we'll have a box office in the display area as well. The Wisconsin State Fair Park is a great partner, we're really looking forward to working with them.”

Q: Pocono needs help! Saturday was anemic for attendance. The scheduling was just as bad, an hour and a half gap between IndyCar practice and Indy Lights qualifying, there are only so many times you can walk up and down the garages. Why didn’t they run all four levels of cars or have a supporting race to fill the time? Those young drivers in USF2000 and ProMazda need to learn ovals sometime and waiting until Indy Lights is too late.Also can you explain the rule that allows a driver who did not start to still get normal points for a ‘22nd place finish’?Ben Loosli, Knoxville, TNRM: Pocono is too big for Mazda and FF2000 and Lights needed to run Sunday morning even though it was only eight cars. Points and purses are determined by Leader’s Circle.

Q: Pocono was my first IndyCar experience. Having had a great time at my first NASCAR race at Watkins Glen last year my expectations where very high. The first thing that impressed me happened even before I made it to the track and that were ticket prices. Grandstand tickets cost $25. You can't even park a car at Yankee Stadium for that. Once we entered the track we decided to spring for some paddock passes. At $40 these seemed like a pretty good deal to see some cars up close and boy did we get close! We managed to stand within feet of the cars and observe while the crews worked to prepare the cars for the race. The highlight was watching Ed Carpenter's team start and rev the car while Ed himself looked on. I can't think of another sport, motor racing or otherwise that offers this kinda access for so little.The race itself was awesome. TV simply doesn't come close to representing the speed and sound of these cars. I would say that there was only about 25 minutes during the race where the action seemed to subside but the late caution woke everything up and rewarded the crowd with a fantastic finish (and with it being my 30th birthday and me being a huge JPM fan, I thought it was the best birthday ever!). I was the only race fan amongst my party of five when we got there but when we left all any of us could talk about was going again next year. Fantastic experience. I've always thought IndyCar deserves to be more popular and my race experience only confirmed that notion. Josh Fromer, Tannersville, N.Y.RM: Thanks for sharing Josh. I was just talking to Iowa promoter Jimmy Small about how IndyCar offers something NASCAR or F1 can’t and that’s the up-close and personal experience of a paddock/pit pass. Pocono’s prices have been bargains both years since IndyCar returned and it’s always fun to hear how excited kids like you can still get when they experience IndyCar for the first time. Sounds like IndyCar made some new fans; thanks for your support.

Q: I drove 600 miles round trip to Pocono, got to stroll the paddock, had my picture taken with Mario, and saw a new track record broken several times. Whether IndyCar succeeds and grows, or withers and dies (perish the thought), there will never be an easier or cheaper way to get up close and rub elbows with the heroes of our sport. I encourage everyone to consider this and instead of sitting on the couch, make the effort to go to the track. If race day is too expensive, come on qualifying day. You may not get another chance. If crowds get too large (we can hope), it will be a hassle with long lines for autographs, etc. If venues disappear, there won't be the chance at all.Bary, Harrisonburg, VARM: I’ve watched Mario, A.J., Johnny Rutherford and Rick Mears stop and sign or pose for pictures for decades and it’s great you got to share some history. Today’s IndyCar drivers are mostly approachable as well and, as I’ve stated many times, you can’t get this kind of access in NASCAR or F1.

Q: I attended Pocono on Sunday, having made the drive from North Carolina with my son. I had gone to USAC/CART races there as a kid in the ’70s and’80s, so there was a desire to attend, if for no other reason than that. I had a good time – saw you and all the drivers in the paddock, and generally enjoyed myself. But the on-track action just wasn’t that compelling. If not for the fuel drama at the end of the race, it would have been a lifeless parade. There were enough people in the stands, I thought, to bring it back in 2015…but if the aero package can’t be fixed to allow for some more passing, I don’t see the point. How can you have so much passing at Indy, and so little at Pocono?Mark FoundsRM: Easy answer Mark. Indy has 33 cars instead of 21 and a track that breeds more drafting. Give Pocono 33 cars and it would be a much better show but, until that happens, keep it at 400 miles or a couple of twin 150-milers.